Williams men's head lacrosse coach George McCormack was thrilled
with the way last season progressed, but he told his 2009 Ephs on
the first day of practice on February 15, "that was then and this
is now."
"What has not ended though is our commitment to getting better
every single day," said McCormack. In many ways that was the number
one lesson to have been learned from last spring when the Ephs
opened up 2-4 and looked to be struggling and ended up posting a
10-6 record, winning their first NESCAC title and advancing to
their first NCAA Tournament.
The NESCAC is considered by most Division III observers to be the
nation's top conference with three teams are ranked in the top 20
in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association preseason
poll and two more NESCAC teams are receiving votes. Middlebury is
ranked 4th, Wesleyan 14th and Williams is 17th, while Bowdoin and
Tufts are receiving recognition as well.
The Ephs will also face two other nationally ranked teams in
non-conference action when they host number 11 Endicott on March
10th and when they play at number 9 Roanoke on March 25th.
"Our schedule is so competitive that we need to be take each game
one at a time, we can’t overlook anyone," noted McCormack.
"Our three senior captains – Kevin Connolly, Michael Gerbush
and Brian Morrissey – did a good job of getting the team
ready for the start of our season. When your leaders are
three of your best players and also some of your hardest workers it
allows guys to see leadership by example."
The Ephs did suffer some key losses to graduation that will need
to be overcome to duplicate or exceed last season's success. Attack
Michael Vrla in limited action netted 20 goals and had 10 assists.
"Vrla will be hard to replace– but we do have some guys who
are ready to step up and try to make a name for themselves,"
explained McCormack. Also lost at the offensive end was the
outstanding playmaker of the last four years Dixon Hargrove.
Hargrove tallied 13 goals last spring, but he posted a team-high 21
assists.
Replacing Hargrove might be a little easier for McCormack as he
successfully recruited Sam Hargrove, Dixon's younger brother. Sam
broke all of Dixon's high school records in Wallingford, PA, but
it's not fair to expect that he will enter at a level higher than
Dixon left Williams as a senior.
McCormack also needs to find a close defender to replace four-year
starter Nick Fersen who provided toughness and a physical presence
for the Ephs and then found a way to score the game-winning goal
vs. Bowdoin in the final regular season game to lift the Ephs into
the NESCAC Tourney. It was Fersen's only goal of the season.
|
| Michael Gerbush '09 |
To overcome these losses McCormack has a large stable of young,
experienced players returning and a host of talented incoming first
years to mix with his seasoned veterans.
Returning to mind the net is senior captain Michael Gerbush who
chalked up NESCAC and NEILA honors in 2008 and was accorded
preseason All-America honors this spring by Inside Lacrosse
Magazine.
Gerbush posted a 7.74 goals against average last season en route
to a 10-6 record. He posted a .612 save percentage, stopping 199
shots and allowing 126 goals.
Junior Stephen Vrla, younger brother of Michael, will back up
Gerbush as he did in 2008. Vrla played 5:59 last season and did not
allow a goal, but did notch one save. Behind Vrla McCormack has
sophomore Henry Mills and first year Evan Cohen.
For close defense McCormack will rely on four juniors, four
sophomores and two first years to form the last line of defense in
front of Gerbush.
Junior close defenders include Oliver Merrill, Marco DeMeireles,
John Kleinert and Andrew D'Ambrosio. Sophomore close
defenders who saw a lot of field time last spring include Chris
Liu, Alex Mendels, Adam Hines and David Fitzpatrick. McCormack
feels that first years David Doggett and Barry Frett could also
challenge for time.
Four-year starter and captain Brian Morrissey will lead the long
stick midfielders. "You cannot ask for a better role model for how
a player should carry himself and how he should prepare for the
season," commented McCormack. In 2008 Morrissey captured NESCAC,
NEILA and ECAC-New England honors and he also received 2009
preseason All-American recognition from Inside Lacrosse
magazine. It was Morrissey who assisted on the Fersen goal
that put the Ephs into the 2008 NESCAC Tournament. He tallied four
goals in 2008 and two were game-winners.
Joining Morrissey as long stick middies are sophomores Aaron
Flack, Michael Ryan and first year Greg White.
Defensive midfielders include two dynamic athletes who also letter
in football for the Ephs – Ryan Powell and Elijah Weeks.
Junior Adam Benjamin also returns to the efensive midfield."We're
excited to see if Adam can expand his goal scoring from last year,"
stated McCormack. Powell netted six goals in 2008 and had two
assists. Sophomore Dylan Schultz will be looking to
contribute this spring after suffering a season-ending football
injury in a preseason football scrimmage in 2008. Sophomores Jay
Petricone and Chris Edmonds will also be counted on for
contributions as well.
The face-off midfielders will be led by sophomore Corey Jacobs.
Jacobs led the Ephs in face-off wins in 2008 with 154. Junior David
Blitzer and first years Mike Ryan and Michael Acierno will also see
time on face-offs. Jacobs and Acierno will also see time with the
offensive middies.
Senior captain Kevin Connolly is moving from attack to offensive
midfield this season where he will blend in with a large group of
offensive midfield players. Last season Connolly tallied 8 goals
and assisted on 4. Junior Bryan Wrapp (3g, 7a in '08),
sophomore Matt Cranshaw (2g, 6a), senior Eric Muller (1g) and
Jacobs (5g, 2a) figure to lead in minutes played this spring. First
years Michael Acierno and Charles Gephart will also see some time
with this group.
Provided McCormack can find a triggerman to replace Dixon Hargrove
the attack should be potent this spring with the return of the top
two goal scorers in 2008.
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| David Hawley '11 |
Sophomore David Hawley impressed many with his debut season as
he notched All-NESCAC, All-NEILA and Rookie of the Year awards from
both organizations along with capturing All-ECAC-New England honors
in 2008. He was also named an Inside Lacrosse magazine 2009
preseason All-American. Hawley led the Ephs in goals (40), points
(46) and game-winning goals (4).
Junior Richard Reuter netted 21 goals last season and chipped in
with 8 assists to record 29 points and sophomore Tommy Murray had 4
goals and 9 assists. After this trio the goals drop right
off. Little wonder that McCormack is expecting some first
year attacks to step up and contribute as well as gain some
valuable playing time. John Bourke, Tim Goggins, Sam Hargrove and
Mike Ryan will all be given a chance to contribute.
"Last year quite a few of our young players did see a lot of time
on the field and I think that will only help us this season," said
McCormack.
"For us to be successful this season we will need to avoid
injuries at key positions and perform well in the following areas
– defense, face-offs and shooting efficiency. We also need to
limit your turnovers and our man-down defense needs to be
solid."
McCormack intends for this Eph team to play an up-tempo offense
with solid team defense, both of which take teamwork and
communication.
"We're a little more grounded offensively than we were at this
point last year," noted McCormack. "Everyone on the attack seems to
have a better feel for what we're doing. We're excited about this
season and the challenges it will bring."
The season begins March 7th in Waterville, Maine when the Ephs
open against the Mules of Colby College at noon.
